Kit with slidably mounted tools



Aug. 22,1950 5 2,519,559

L. R- FOSTER ETAL KIT WITH SLIDABLY MOUNTED TOOLS Filed Feb. 4, 1946 Hi5? J l-lV/l,

' INVENTORS. lee f8 iszfer d BYJCZI7Z66 Orerzlbsi'ar;

Patented Aug. 22, 1950 KIT WITH 'SIZIDA'BLY MOUNTED TOULS' Lee R.;Eoster,,Benwyn, .and'James Qre-n-Fosters Ghicago, Ill.

ApplicatiorrFebruary 4, 1946, Serial No. 645,357

. 6 Glaims. I I

Our invention relatesto' a hand tool whereby a mechanic; in the form of a single unit; is provideci with a plurality of extensible: bits of different' sizes and of desired cross-sectional con:- fi'guration adaptable toscrew-head's or' caps of the various'typ'e at present employed. Due to theuse of the different types of hollow headed screws-a mechanic is compelled'to provide himseitf withthe different types of wremih-bits-as for example, the A11en--the- Phl1lips-the Bristol-'-ancf their various sizes, so thatconsiderable time is fre'quently' required in asearch for a bit of-therequired configuration and size.

@ur invention contemplatesa unit or case of convenient size formed to slidably enclose a pluraliw' of different sized bits adapted to be separately protruded or extended through separate openings spaced apart about theperimeter of the case or shell; the case or shell involving means whereby the selected bit may heloclied in its extended position while the other bits are locked within the shell orcase against movement, or whereby all of the bits may be simultaneously locked in their retracted positions within the shell or'case.

The objects and advantages of our invention will be readily comprehended from the following detailed description of the accompanying drawing wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view oftheface' orupper side of our improved tool, showing-one of the wrench bitsiin extended position.

Figure 2 is a similar view of the rear or bottom side;

Figure 3isa-n edge elevation ofthetool-or device asshownin Figure 1 Figure4' is a cross sectional view taken on the ofi-set-line '4-4' of Figure I looking in thedirec- 7 tion of the arrows.

Figure is a transverse sectionalview taken on' the line -5 of'Figure I.

Ffgure dis a face plan view of one-half oith'e device; showing the bit locking mechanism in a bit released position.

Figures '7, 8 and 9 are perspective views of some of" the types of wrench bits;" while Figure 10 is a perspective view of ascrew-driver" bit.

Qur improved device or' tool preferably is of a symmetrical and convenient size which may be-easily manipulated and carried in the pocket of the user and the groups of preselected types of-bitsmaintained in their assembled or grouped relation.

In: the particular exemplific'ation of the invention; the sheil i or: case preferably is of; annular formwconsisting preferably of two halves orrsuhstantially similar forged sections to, Hi;- of" suffeci'ent' thickness: adapted to: be arranged in faceto-face contactand secured together in suitable manner as for example by a plurality of countersunk hollow headed screws I 1.

In: the exemplification, each section is pro:- vided with a circular cavity lfitintermediate outer perimeter of the section and the central hub portion 1' 9 7 of the: shell; the: combined 'caviities I8; I 8 being adapted to slidably receive the various bits- 20, which eithermay be of thereon figuratio'n shown in Figures Z (and: in the: first sixrfiguresof the drawing)"; or the configuration of wrench bits 2'1, 2'1 shown in Figuresz'i and 9-01" the configuration of screw-driver bit 22:, shown 10;: the. respective bitsofi'axun-it 'being' oi different sizes as indicated: in Figures 1 3 and 5; or. any: suitable combinationofi hits may be: employed.

The outer annular walls or perimeterslof the two sections: [5, l5: at suitable.- circumiaerentially spaced; points are provided: with similar: openin'gs: 23 of. cross-sectional configuration, seelili'g ure 3, matching the cross section of. the respective bit. and to: allowitheabits to. slide in said open-- ings from their retracted position, shownati the left in Figure 4, to the extended; position shown attheleftiin Figure? The sections i5, i6 are; provided with apluzrality of circumferentiallyspaceds. radiali slots: '24 which. communicate with the chamber formedzby the: cavities: I8 and extendxfrom" the central huh portion IE tothe. innerends of the openings; 23 atitheouter-rimxof the device.

The inner ends of: the bits" are each: provided with attransverseiy disposed portion; or pin 25:, extending; beyond opposite sides of: thebits and of length sufficient to extendinto the radial: slots 24 in both. body sections; [:5 and; t6 and terminate atrthe: outer faces of thersections, as: shown: more clearly in Figure 4', where the; operators fingers can: engage the ends of the: pins to slide the selected-obit outwardly-= One: of the. case sections-,qnamely thetop or face. section 15, preferably is provided: withz'a-n annular" cavity or: countersunk portion 2:8", whose outer perimeter lies inwardly: ofrthe outer ends of the radial slotsl l namelya distance. removed from the outer ends of the-slots corresponding substantially to the diameter or thickness of the ends of" the pins 25 The annular cavity-"Z5 is provided with a flat faced ring 21', of width: less than the-length or the. radial slots 24, so asto leave the endsioffthel slots 24 uncovered for the reception of the ends of the bit-pins 25 when the bits are in retracted or extended position, as shown in Figure 6. The fiat faced ring or ring plate 21 is provided with a sectoral cut-out or removed section at 28, of size sufficient to completely uncover a single slot 24, as shown in Figure 6; the ring-plate 21 preferably having a slightly beveled perimeter to receive the overhanging lip or peened over metal 29, whereby the ring plate 21 is rotatively held in flat contact with and in the depression or cavity 26 in the face of the section l5. In order that the ring-plate 21 may be readily rotated in the cavity, it is shown provided with the outwardly upset finger-nail engagingportions Bil, 30, on opposite sides of the sectoral cut-away portion of the ring-plate.

As is apparent from the construction shown in Figure 1, movement of the bits is impossible when the sectoral cut-out 28. of the ring-plate 21 is brought intermediate adjacent slots 24; the in ner perimeter of the ring-plate 2'! being for-v ward of and in engagement with the bit-pins 25 when the bits are in retracted position.

When the user desires a certain bit he rotates the ring-plate 21 until the sectoral cut-away 28 registers with the selected bit and uncovers the pin slideway or radial slot, as shown at the left in Figure 6, thus allowing the pin 25 to be slid to the outer end of the radial slot and thereby cause the bit to be extended or protruded from the shell or case. The ring-plate is then shifted slightly across the radial groove so the outer perimeter of the ring-plate adjacent its ends (which preferably are slightly reduced in width) engages the protruding pin 25, thereby locking the bit in its extended operating position; rotation of the bit being accomplished by bodily twisting or turning the case which constitutes the shank or handle portion of the wrench or screwdriver.

We have shown and described what we believe to be a simple embodiment of the invention and combination of bits, but modificationsmay be possible without, however, departing from the spirit of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A tool of the character described comprising a pair of matching casing sections secured together in face-to-face relation and formed to provide a chamber therebetween, the face walls of the casing having radially disposed slots while the perimeter of the casing has a plurality of spaced openings aligned with the slots and communicating with the chamber; a plurality of radially disposed tool-bits slidably mounted in said chamber, with their inner ends having transversely disposed pins extending through the respective slots; and a split ring member rotatably mounted on one of the casing sections across the slots intermediate the ends thereof and in engagement with the pins of the toolbits whereby the tool-bits initially are locked against movement and the selected tool-bit permitted to be moved outwardly through its correlated opening when the split portion of said ring member is brought to register with the respective slot of said selected tool-bit.

2. A tool of the character described comprising a pair of matching casing sections secured together in face-to-face relation and formed to provide a chamber therebetween, the face wall of the casing having radially disposed slots cornmunicating with said chamber while the perimeter of the casing is provided with spaced openings of different diameters aligned with the slots and communicating with the chamber; a plurality of tool-bits of different diameters slidably mounted in said chamber with their outer ends normally seated in the respective openings while their inner ends are provided with transversely disposed pins which extend through the respective slots; and a ring member with a sectoral cut-out portion rotatably mounted on the outer face of one of the casing sections across said slots intermediate the ends thereof with its inner perimeter in engagement with the pins of the tool-bits whereby the latter are locked in retracted position and with its outer perimeter in engagement with the pin of the extended toolbit to lock the latter in its extended position, the tool-bits being permitted to move outwardly imo operative position when the sectoral cut-out portion of said ring member is brought in register with the slot of the selected tool-bit.

3. A tool of the character described comprising a two-part casing removably secured together in iace-to-iace relation, the opposing sides of the casing members having complemental cavities to combinedly provide an enclosed chamber, the outer perimeter of the casing at predetermined spaced points having openings of preselected diameter communicating with said chamber, slots arranged in said casing in alignment with said perimeter openings; bits slidably arranged in said chamber and in said perimeter openings, said bits having lateral portions disposed through said slots for controlling the bits; and a bit locking member rotatably secured to the casing intermediate the lateral portions of the bits and their outer ends when the bits are in retracted position, said locking member being provided with a sectoral cut-out portion to permit passage of said lateral bit portions, the member being adapted normally to cover the intermediate portions of said slots across the path of said lateral portions and thereby hold the bits within the chamber against outward movement when said cut-out portion is out of register with the preselected slot, the cut-out portion of said locking member being formed to uncover one slot at a time when the member is rotated and permit the lateral portion of the selected bit to slide toward the outer end of the slot.

4. A tool of the character described, comprising a casing having a pair of sections formed to provide an enclosed chamber, said sections being immovably secured together with the perimeter at spaced intervals having openings communicating with said chamber; guideways arranged in alignment with said openings intermediate the outer perimeter of the casing and the inner wall of said chamber; tool-bits slidably arranged in said chamber and in said openings and provided with oiT-set portions extending into and controlled by said guideways; and means rotatably mounted on one wall of the casing intermediate the ends of the guideways for normally locking the toolbits against sliding movement and being provided with a sectoral slot to uncover one of said guideways and permit passage of the ofiset portion of a selected tool-bit and to hold said toolbits against movement.

5. A tool of the character described comprising a casing composed of a pair of complemental sections arranged in face-to-face relation and formed to provide a chamber therebetween, the perimeter of the casing having a plurality of spaced openings communicating with said chains ber; guideways arranged intermediate the inner wall of said chamber and said openings; toolbits slidably mounted in said chamber and each provided with an angularly disposed offset portion extending through the respective guideways; a member movably secured to the casingintermediate the ends of the guideways across the paths of the tool-bit offset portions to lock the tool-bits against movement, said member having a slot adapted to be moved into alignment with said guideways, the tool-bits being initially locked within the casing by said member and the selected tool-bit permitted to be extended through one of said openings when the slot of said member registers with the guideway of the selected tool-bit.

6. A tool of the character described comprising a two-part casing formed to provide a chamber therein and having a plurality of spaced apart openings in the perimeter communicating with said chamber; a face wall of the casing having slots communicating with said chamber and each slot arranged parallel with one of said openings; tool-bits slidably arranged in said chamber in alignment with the respective openings and each provided with an angularly disposed portion extending through its correlated slot; and a split ring rotatably secured to the casing intermediate the ends of said slots and disposed across the paths of the angularly disposed portions of the tool-bits, whereby all of the tool-bits initially are locked within the casing until the split portion of the ring is brought in register with the slot of the selected tool-bit and thereby permit the latter to slide outwardly through its respective opening, said ring being adapted to engage the angularly disposed portion of the tool-bit and thereby lock the selected toolbit in its outward operative position.

LEE R. FOSTER.

JAMES OREN FOSTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Narne Date 445,533 Becker Feb. 3, 1891 512,911 Shogren Jan. 16, 1894 844,603 Massey Feb. 19, 1907 1,225,922 Brown May 15, 1917 

